Do you mind?

I know I've been slowly working my way through the past couple months, posting photos of the kids and their milestones and accomplishments. But I need a little break...just for a sec.

Truth?

Life is a little hard. We are moving. From here (Arkansas) to there (Kansas City). I am the first to admit that Arkansas was DEAD LAST in my list of states I'd ever consider living in. The very word brings to mind backwardness, bare feet and married cousins. However, it was exactly where were supposed to be and because of that I have loved (LOVED!) it here. I really want to stay and I really want to eat my blackberries and mow my lawn and hang with my neighbors. I love knowing every back road and having the numbers of my favorite restaurants in my cell phone so I can get really great take-out. That takes commitment, people! That takes time and a methodical investment in trying out a wide variety of items on the menu... things that should not be taken for granted. And if that isn't enough, I just got the number of a guy who will mow, weed eat, and edge your lawn for 25 bucks. You can't tell me I'll find somebody like that in KC. I won't believe you.

So for know I go out and push my kids in the swings and get teary eyed and say to my self, "I don't want to move." sniff sniff. Then I have a handful of raspberries and test the plumpness of the blackest of my blackberries and will them to ripen before someone else decides they might like to live here and push their kids in the swings.

I'm trying to remind myself of the day we drove out of Utah Valley and I bawled as I saw Mt. Timpanogos fading in my rear view mirror. I most decidedly did not want to leave my life there and my family and especially my parents that had only 6 months before moved back from Texas to be close to all of us. Most decidedly.

And look how that turned out?

It'll be fine. We're going to be just fine.

Excuse me...I think I'll go test the plumpness of the blackest of my berries.

sniff sniff.

The graduate

She is officially headed to Kindergarten. We have her "Tiny Tots" diploma on file, in case they question our qualifications.

The beauty of speed

I remember attending only one other Pinewood Derby. About 4 or 5 years ago I showed up because I was Primary President and wanted to provide support for the scout leaders. I had no participating son and I found the entire event to be so much fun. A riot! I had little daydreams of holding a Derby in our cul-de-sac. How much fun would that be?

I was not prepared for the gut wrenching experience that we were subjected to as parents of a Cub. Would his car be cool enough? Would it lose every race? Would he cry? Would this send him on a downward spiral into depression that would last through his turbulent teen years? Would he win every race and give an "in your face" victory speech, exposing our unsatisfactory parenting skills? The possibilities were.....many.

In reality, he won a few and he lost the rest. But he was too interested in running around the cultural hall with the other 8 year old boys hopped up on sugar cookies and off-brand soda to care. We, on the other hand, sat perched on our metal folding chairs with our cameras at the ready waiting to capture a winning race on camera so as to prove to the boy that his car was SUPER FAST! "See? See it? Your car was super fast, Ethan!" This could prove the beginning of the upward spiral of confidence and self esteem that could help him to sail through his triumphant teenage years.

We are delusional.

We could use a sugar cookie and a good run.

Maybe a little Twist-Up.


Ethan and his car, "The Dragon".


I'm still convinced our cul-de-sac Derby would totally rock.

Ethan turns 9

May 10th marked the 9th year for my oldest son.

9 years is a really long time to be alive. Especially when you are my son. Can you imagine all the parenting mistakes he has had to put up with in that short time. It's mind-numbing. Poor guy.

Well, obviously, he deserved some cake to make up for it.

And what a cake he got. I think I've mentioned before that my kids have a particular vision for their cakes. (Remember the buck and the stallion?) I try to pay careful attention and then carry out the plan with precision. Or at least a good effort.

This year he wanted birds.

Birds in a tree. (no laughing allowed)

And just so you know, if you submit this to Cake Wrecks...it won't make it because it wasn't made by a professional. So there. Don't even bother.

The important thing is Ethan loved it. In fact Megan loved it so much she requested this exact cake for her birthday....only with a very large PEACOCK on the top. I vow to make it happen.

For dinner, Ethan asked for his favorite meal: Chicken Pot Pie.


After blowing out the candles,

He opened his birthday loot and was particularly thrilled with his Rainbow Armadillo Webkin. It was a last minute request on the morning of his birthday and when I went to the toy store while the kids were at school, there it was. I think one of the 3 Nephites placed it there. Because, seriously...a rainbow armadillo? How random is that find?



After dinner we went to Walmart to buy candybars and smuggled them into "How to Train Your Dragon". Which was awesome.



All in all a good way to celebrate 9 years of life on the planet. We love you, Ethan. Thanks again for providing a petri dish for our parental experiments. We're trying. And we're sorry. Happy Birthday.

The morning's harvest.

So...you may or may not already be aware that we are moving to Kansas City soon. There just remains this tiny detail of selling our house. While I feel a certain sense of urgency to get a move on and begin a new life in KC, I would be lying if I didn't admit that secretly I am hoping we stick around until I'm able to pick and eat ever last fruit and vegetable my garden has to offer. And if I don't....well I may throw a tantrum that could show my two year old a thing or two.

This morning, after I returned from my walk with the doggies (a direct result of my doctor's eyebrows) the girls and I went out to see what bounty might be obtained from the backyard.



Oh...and don't forget the beets. Anybody know how to cook beets? Boiling seems....wrong.

I love you, backyard.
Let's stay friends.
I'll facebook you.
I'll visit you in the middle of the night.
I'll be very sneaky.

It's inevitable

that I will have to go back to the early days of my barfing bonanza in order to review the events that took place. I mean, really. There was Mother's Day, Ethan's Bday, Megan's birthday, preschool graduation, the Pinewood Derby and a whole lot of deep thinking in between. Oh...and the gardening! My heavens, the gardening! Would I dare to rob the blogosphere of such richness? NEVER!

So, we press forward.

I give you.

Mothers Day - 2010

Please remember that I wasn't feeling on the top of my game.

See what I mean?

I'm not sure if it's the pastiness, the fuzzed out hair do, or my double layer shirt that I'm wearing in an attempt to disguise my pudginess. But, something about this photo makes me feel markedly uncomfortable.

But let's focus on things that bring JOY and PEACE and LOVE.

Chicken Cordon Bleu....Garlice Mashed Potatoes....Homemade Rolls with a side of tulips. I really love those tulips.


Then there was this.


A work of art and a weighty contribution to the unapproved weight gain that caused my doctor to raise his eyebrows at my last appointment.

I loved the pie. I ate the pie. I ate more of the pie. And I loved that when he couldn't find a coconut cream to buy from any bakery, he took matters into his own hands and made one himself. He loves me!

Hello! Do you know what time it is?

It's 10:09 am on a beautiful Wednesday morning and I'm officially 14 weeks, baby!

I couldn't be happier about the passage of time.

I'm ready to move on to feeling better and staying awake through the entire day. Particularly during the afternoon drive to pick up the boys. Mercy.

I would also like to see a few changes in the belly department. I am not happy with the "spare tire" look I've been sporting and I don't think it's unreasonable to expect that I look pregnant when I am, in fact, pregnant.

A few things I will miss about the last two months.

Independent children doing what they gotta do:

Creative use of thermoses and tupperware:

Ahh...good times.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the inventors of the following items.

Cereal

The microwave

The happy meal

The television

The remote control

Paper plates

May you and your posterity live long and prosperous lives. It is well deserved.